A few decades back, kitchens used to be hidden-away workspaces where only the housewives and the house helps were welcomed. Fast forward to today, they are both the heart and soul of the 21st century home. This is where all the magic happens. So it would be no surprise if you’re here because you’re looking for ideas on how to give your kitchen a facelift. Fortunately, you’re in the right place. Described herein are some great ideas on architectural finishes that you can use to remodel your kitchen.
Top Architectural Finishes You Need in Your Next Kitchen Remodel
Whether you’re looking to add some character into your existing kitchen or working towards a completely new look, these architectural finishes are a sure way to breathe new life in your kitchen space. They’re suitable for both small and spacious kitchen spaces.
1. Embrace Columns
Commonly associated with the porch, columns are becoming a common sight in most kitchens. You too could use them to add style and uniqueness to your cooking space. Here are several ways to use columns in your next kitchen
- As Room Dividers in an Open Floor Plan
If your home has an open floor plan and you’re looking to add some character to the kitchen area, consider having a row of load-bearing columns installed between the kitchen and living area. You can also have one or two steps added so it automatically becomes the focal point. That way, you’ll still have an open floor plan but at the same time, will have marked out the kitchen and living areas.
If your space is small, a row of load-bearing columns will make it feel crowded. Therefore, have a column or two installed in a way that it separates the kitchen and the living area without interfering with the flow in your space. For instance, since you’re only trying to divide the room, place two split columns between the living and kitchen area. This will create a transition between the two spaces without interfering with the flow. Besides, these split columns will serve as excellent focal points.
The best bit about using columns to divide the kitchen/living area in an open floor plan is there are just so many ways to turn it into the focal point. For instance, if you’re working with unlimited space, go for faux wood columns. The striking color will naturally stand out, so you don’t have to do anything else. It’s especially a good idea if you have a wooden or LVP floor as the two elements will set the tone for the rest of the room. Alternatively, you could use regular split columns, have them painted white and then use them to display your creative art pieces or framed family pictures so they can serve as a focal point.
- Anchor or Line Up and Island
Whether your floor is open plan or not, using columns to anchor or line up the island is a great idea. You have many design options regardless of the size of your kitchen. For instance, you can feature two columns, one on each side of the island or use only one. In a small kitchen, for instance, have a small island installed and line it with two half-columns. Alternatively, use one load-bearing column as a pivot point for a built-in island.
2. Replace the Wall with a Huge Window or Glass Door
Natural light tends to add visual space to any room. So if your kitchen is small and you’re looking to make it appear more spacious, consider letting the outdoors inside. You can do this by having the kitchen cabinets and any appliances like the fridge tucked to the sides, and then replacing the wall with a huge window or massive glass door if possible. This will let in natural light, creating an illusion of a bigger kitchen.
If space is not an issue for you, then this idea will work even better. You can have an island installed in the middle of the room to entertain your guests in the kitchen. The huge glass window or door mentioned earlier will serve as a great distraction as guests will have something else to focus on, instead of the dishes in the sink.
3. Make Good Use of Crown Molding
Crown molding is exceptionally versatile and tends to add elegance and class to nearly any space, and you too can use it in your kitchen. Putting crown molding where the wall meets the ceiling frames the kitchen, and adds a classic touch, instantly pulling together all of its architectural finishes. It also tends to add visual height to a room. However, it would be wise to avoid using crown molding if you have an 8′ kitchen ceiling as it’ll make the same appear smaller and feel cramped.
4. Make your Kitchen Cabinets Stand Out
Cabinets are a staple architectural finish of any kitchen. In other words, no kitchen is complete without them. So why not make them stand out? Without further ado, here are several tricks to get you started
- Varying Cabinet Heights
Instead of having your cabinets installed in regular style, create a focal point by fixing them at varying heights. Having several cabinets at a higher level than the others creates a unique pattern.
Additionally, use a darker or brighter paint color depending on the main color of your kitchen. For instance, if your kitchen’s theme is white, have the cabinets painted dark brown for contrast. This, combined with the varying heights, turns them into the focal point.
5. Use Crown Molding
Did you know you can also use crown molding on the cabinet without even touching the wall? If no, then now you do. Adding crown molding on kitchen cabinets will not only make them more aesthetically pleasing but is also a classy way to cover up the bland-looking cabinet edges. What’s even more interesting is that this is something you can do yourself! Besides cabinets, you can also use molding on the kitchen hood to give it more character.
6. Consider Using Brackets
If you have an open, plain wall in your kitchen that you’d like to give life to as part of your remodeling project, consider using decorative brackets. For instance, you could use them to create a focal point by having them mounted on such a wall and using them to display your favorite collection of Chinaware. Also, if you have any open shelves in your kitchen, having decorative brackets mounted underneath will add some architectural detail. Hence instantly making them look like they have a story behind them.
Bonus Tip: Mix Metals
Whether you decide to have a column installed or go with varying cabinet heights, mixing metals on various surfaces is a great way to set the tone for your kitchen without trying too hard. Metallic colors tend to add elegance to nearly any space that they’re used on. If mixed creatively, metallic colors could even serve as the focal point.
Top Kitchen Styles
Just like there’s an array of living room styles, there are also different types of kitchens. Now that you know some of the architectural elements you could use to enhance it, here are the various styles you could opt for when designing it
- Traditional Kitchen
When you step into a traditional kitchen, it’ll remind you of the Victorian era. It’s usually characterized by classic architectural elements such as arches, moldings, paneled cupboards, corbels, beam ceilings, gleaming marble countertops, chandeliers, and highly polished hardwood floors. A traditional kitchen also boasts a refreshing abundance of colors that make it both comforting and inviting. It’s almost similar to a French kitchen except that it has fewer antique finishes.
- Mediterranean Kitchen
If you’re thinking of going the Mediterranean way, then you should be open to the idea of having multiple colors in your cooking space. This type of kitchen is all about rich, warm tones. It revolves around Grecian designs and is a rich blend of bold colors, columns, hand-painted tile work, textured walls, and swooping curves and curlicues. The Mediterranean kitchen is a perfect fit for anyone who doesn’t shy away from art, as almost every detail is reminiscent of the Grecian era.
- Farmhouse Kitchen
A farmhouse kitchen revolves around simplicity and comfort hence typically features premium, natural-looking materials such as woven basketry. It invokes a homey feel and is characterized with classic architectural features such as raised panel and distressed cabinets. It has architectural finishes which remind one of an era when everything was nice and slow such as beam ceilings, moldings, and arches. The small details, for instance, vintage doorknobs, delicate china sets, copper pots, and vases all work in harmony with other significant features to create its homey feel.
- Rustic Kitchen
Rustic kitchens are also quite popular in the 21st century. This type of kitchen is all about wood and stone. It’s characterized by hardwood floors, exposed rustic ceiling beams and wooden furniture. It also features design components which are beautifully distressed such as a worn farmhouse table and lots of unfinished surfaces such as a brick or stone fireplace. To tie it all in, lighting in a rustic kitchen has to be warm.
- Modern and Contemporary Kitchen
Modern kitchens are often confused with contemporary kitchens. When you consider the reasons, it’s not hard to see why. Both kitchen styles focus on the bare minimum. All the clutter in the earlier mentioned styles is hidden from plain view, leaving you with beautiful, bare surfaces. They feature elements such as flat-panel doors, frameless cabinets, and sleek and simple hardware.
While both styles revolve on sleek, simpler surfaces and hardware, the main difference between the two is that contemporary kitchens are all about cutting-edge technology. They have far-updated appliances and feature the latest trends in the world of architecture. Additionally, they beautifully incorporate elements of other styles, for instance, columns, arches, and crown moldings.
- Transitional Kitchen
This is one of the most popular kitchen styles in the 21st century. A transitional kitchen just as the name implies combines the best of both worlds. It incorporates elements from a traditional and a contemporary kitchen, and the result is a fresh updated look which anyone regardless of their sense of style will love. It eliminates the heavy decorative accents and provides the warmth and comfort of a traditional kitchen. At the same time, it offers a sense of familiarity and serenity associated with the minimalist design of a contemporary kitchen. In a nutshell, it’s easy and flexible, which explains its popularity.
- Eclectic Kitchen
If none of the above styles appeal to you or you just can’t seem to make up your mind about which one you’d like, then eclectic it is for you. This style allows you to have a little bit of everything. From the distressed finishes of a rustic kitchen, the swooping curves and textured walls of a Mediterranean kitchen to the high-tech appliances of a contemporary kitchen, you can have it all. However, while It allows you to mix and match the way you please, things can go from being aesthetically pleasing and functional to chaotic in a heartbeat. So don’t just throw in everything you come across. If possible, employ the help of a designer to avoid a visual disaster.
Finally
Whether you decide to go for a contemporary, farmhouse, rustic, or transitional kitchen, the earlier described architectural finishes still have a place in your new cooking space. Thus you can transform your dull kitchen into a space you and your loved ones will love and spend your most cherished moments. However, you ought to use them creatively for the best results. Therefore, if this is your first remodel, it would be wise to hire an experienced designer to walk you through the process.
Additionally, ensure you only source the finishes, for instance, columns and brackets from a reputable supplier. Fortunately, we got you. Check us out for a diverse array of premium quality, American-made finishes, and feel free to browse other informative topics on home improvement projects.